2023 Global ESG Practitioner Survey

How do practitioners feel about ESG?

Workiva's second Global ESG Practitioner Survey polled 926 professionals with ESG-related responsibilities on topics related to ESG reporting, value, and related technologies using a questionnaire curated with the help of Alex Edmans.

The report highlights the increasingly complex and critical role of ESG for companies, but also disconnects between executives and managers on the value of ESG reporting:

• 90% of the surveyed professionals agreed that having a strong ESG reporting programme can yield companies a competitive advantage and drive up business value.
• 62% of executives believe their company applies the same diligence to ESG reporting as it does to financial reporting, while only 32% of managers and senior managers said the same.
• Practitioners almost unanimously agree (97%) that technology will help them address the ESG reporting challenges related to measurement, audit and compliance with ESG regulation.
• 92% of respondents believe their organisation will increase ESG technology and data spending over the next three years to ensure the credibility and reliability of ESG reporting.

Even though ESG is a central topic within many organisations, practitioners should adopt a rigorous approach and make sure all stakeholders are involved and aligned to best create financial and social value.

It means, most of the time, taking the risk of innovation instead of waiting passively for regulators to define the best operational and reporting practices. Long-term performance is unlikely to arise from mere compliance.